By Johnathan Paoli
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has unveiled her department’s five-year strategic plan and 2025/2026 budget priorities, vowing to modernise South Africa’s housing systems and accelerate delivery to underserved communities.
At a media briefing at Parliament’s Imbizo Centre, flanked by Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala and director-general Alec Moemi, Simelane introduced the department’s R34 billion budget under the theme “leveraging technologies for resilient, sustainable human settlements”.
“We are determined to disrupt apartheid spatial planning and bring people closer to economic centres. Our focus is on completing blocked housing projects, accelerating title deed issuance and improving coordination across all spheres of government,” Simelane said.
She announced targets aligned with the 2024–2029 Medium-Term Development Plan, including 237,000 Breaking New Ground housing units; 314,000 serviced stands; 140,000 housing subsidies for the “missing middle”; upgrades to 4075 informal settlements; 15,000 new social housing units; the issuance of 80,000 title deeds; and a 95% tenanting and 90% collection rate in state-managed rental stock.
Central to these efforts is the development of a new National Digital Human Settlements Management System, in collaboration with the State Information Technology Agency.
It will enable citizens to apply online for housing, track application progress and streamline project oversight.
The minister also emphasised innovation in construction through the piloting of green innovative building technologies and the alignment of data systems with the District Development Model.
She noted the department’s responsiveness to recent disasters in the Eastern Cape, where over 100 lives were lost due to flooding.
Temporary Emergency Accommodation has been established, and permanent resettlement plans are underway.
The department’s funding priorities for 2025/26 include a firm stance against illegal land occupations.
Simelane announced the development of a Policy Framework on the Prevention of Illegal Eviction to curb the growth of informal settlements.
“Our goal is to create sustainable human settlements, deliver quality work and transform the sector to better empower youth, women, veterans and persons with disabilities,” Simelane concluded.
However, her message was overshadowed by intensifying calls for her removal, following revelations that she was under police investigation for alleged corruption.
While Simelane laid out an optimistic roadmap, the Democratic Alliance (DA) issued a scathing rejection of the budget and called for her immediate dismissal.
In a media briefing ahead of the National Assembly Budget Vote, DA Human Settlements spokesperson Luyolo Mphithi lambasted Simelane’s appointment, accusing her of being “clouded in scandal” and unfit to manage the department.
“Simelane is directly linked to the looting of VBS Bank. She is also under criminal investigation for allegedly stealing R700,000 from Eskom by submitting fake invoices while working for Vitrovian,” Mphithi said.
He criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for failing to act on Simelane.
“Instead of firing her, the president simply shifted her from Justice to Human Settlements. This is a betrayal of the South African people, especially the poor,” Mphiti said.
The DA has vowed to oppose the Human Settlements budget, citing a lack of accountability and progress on housing delivery.
“After 30 years in power, the ANC has failed to provide dignified housing to millions. Now they appoint a minister under active investigation. South Africans deserve better,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, DA justice spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has assigned an investigating officer to probe the corruption charges against Simelane.
According to Breytenbach, Simelane was alleged to have signed off on fraudulent invoices submitted by Vitrovian to Eskom for work that was never done, allegedly by non-existent employees.
The charges relate to Eskom’s use of Vitrovian to suppress protests during the construction of the Kusile Power Plant.
“Minister Simelane’s signature appears on the very first fraudulent invoice. This investigation comes on top of her unresolved involvement in the VBS Bank scandal during her tenure as executive mayor of Polokwane,” Breytenbach stated.
The DA renewed its call for Ramaphosa to remove all “corrupt” ministers and deputy ministers.
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